Last night, I went to sleep around 11:30 only to wake up at 3:00 AM. Darn insomnia. For me, sleep is as elusive as the Loch Ness monster. It's a bummer, too, because sleep is so important for health. Not only does it directly affect your energy level, a good night's rest can also help you manage your weight, and research now shows that skipping sleep can harden your arteries.

If you're like me and sleep doesn't come easy, try these tips:

• Exercise regularly, but not within three hours of bedtime.
  
• Don't eat or drink a lot before bed.
• Stick to a schedule, and try to go to bed at roughly the same time each night.
• Make your bedroom restful by turning out all the lights, keeping the TV and radio off and maybe investing in a white noise machine (or using something like a quiet fan or air purifier for white noise).
• Relax before bedtime with a bath, a book or anything else that calms you. Avoid the computer and TV right before bed as they can be stimulating.

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You can apply eco-friendly principles to pretty much every aspect of your life. But even ... your sex life? Yep, according to this article from TreeHugger. They've listed some things you can do and products you can use to protect yourself, protect the environment and still have a great time with that special someone. Some tips?

• Shower together. Not only do you save water, but you are sure to have a steamy time.
  
• When it comes to lubes and lotions, go for the ones that are as natural as possible -- so without artificial colour, scents or tastes. You can even find organic products at some stores.
  
• Try bamboo sheets on the bed -- they're sensual and slippery.
  
• Try some natural aphrodisiacs. Herbs like ginseng and ginko biloba are rumored to be aphrodisiacs, plus some food items like strawberries, oysters, chocolate and wine. Know of any others?
  

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I have insomnia. It comes and goes, but when my insomnia is in full-swing sleep is virtually impossible for me. I have my own little routine that seems to help, however. Turning off all the lights relatively early, getting into my comfy clothes, and gradually winding down over a period of hours. Whether you're a long-time insomniac like me or you've just been tossing and turning as of late, this site has good tips for getting your zzz's.

1. Stick to a schedule. Even on the weekends, it's a good idea to go to sleep and wake up at about the same time.
   
2. Create a ritual. Follow a routine that helps you unwind and prepare for sleep.
3. Turn everything off. Turn off lights, radios, TVs, even clocks that may interfere with your rest.
4. Create a safe haven. Create a relaxing environment -- clutter free, calming colors.
   
5. Get comfy. Fluffy pillows, soft blankets, and comfy pjs can help you get a sound night.
6. Watch what -- and when -- you eat. Avoid sugar and other unhealthy food in the evenings and don't eat anything within two hours of going to bed.
7. Get moving. Exercise throughout the day and also 3-4 hours before sleep can help you get more rest.
8. Use your bedroom for sleep (and sex). Your bedroom isn't a second living room. Keep laptops, work, and other items out of your bedroom. Your room should be a place of relaxation -- not another source of stress.
9. Try guided imagery. There are CDs designed to help you relax. (Side note -- this one sounds a bit loopy to me, personally... but to each his own.)
10. Avoid nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine. All three disrupt your sleep and aren't health-promoting (for the most part) anyway. Just one more reason to avoid them.
    
11. Get plenty of daylight. Melatonin and some other hormones are triggered by daylight. Spend time outdoors during the day and keep your bedroom as dark as possible at night to balance hormones and help yourself sleep.
12. Write it down. If you tend to worry and replay the day's events when you're trying to sleep, try writing everything down in a journal before going to bed. Getting it out on paper may help you avoid worrying about it later.

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I saw a clip on some entertainment show last night on Joan Collins. She told the cameras that she's against plastic surgery and instead, her secret for looking young is having sex at least three times a week. What a coincidence, because I just came across this article that says the exact same thing.

That's not to say that you should start being promiscuous -- that holds a whole new set of problems, and the study really only connects beneficial results to couples in long-term, stable relationships. Still, if you're in a relationship, here's one less reason to use to 'I've got a headache' excuse, and it you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on fancy anti-aging creams with lofty promises.

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